The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance

Challenging Perception and Our Conscious Experience – Anil Seth : 590

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May 9, 2019

Anil Seth, a leading researcher in consciousness science and professor at the University of Sussex, discusses the fascinating nature of perception and how it shapes our reality. He explains that perception is a creative construction by the brain, influenced by experiences and even technology. The conversation dives into how self-training can enhance our awareness and mental health, the ethics of neurofeedback, and the impactful role of virtual reality in reshaping identity and empathy. Seth's insights challenge our understanding of consciousness and the very fabric of reality.

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INSIGHT

Conscious Reality as Controlled Hallucination

Our brains construct our conscious reality, like a controlled hallucination.
We don't passively filter objective reality, but actively project our experiences.

INSIGHT

Individual and Cultural Differences in Perception

We perceive the world differently due to individual brain wiring and cultural influences.
Language, for example, shapes how we categorize colors, leading to variations in perception.

ANECDOTE

Cambridge Analytica's Manipulation of Perception

Cambridge Analytica used AI and psychological profiling to influence perceptions during Brexit and US elections.
This highlights how perceptions can be manipulated through targeted messaging.

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In this intriguing episode of Bulletproof Radio, Dave welcomes Anil Seth, a leading researcher, writer, and public speaker on consciousness science, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. Anil has broad experience communicating new ideas from the forefront of research in these areas, which confront some of humanity’s greatest questions and challenges.

In his work, Anil seeks to understand the biological basis of consciousness by bringing together research across neuroscience, mathematics, artificial intelligence, computer science, psychology, philosophy and psychiatry. He’s currently a professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and founding co-director of the Sackler Centre for Consciousness Science.

As well as pioneering this interdisciplinary approach, Anil is recognized for his influential theories about how conscious experiences of the world and self are (distinct) forms of ‘controlled hallucinations.’ His TEDtalk “How Your Brain Hallucinates Your Conscious Reality” has been viewed nearly 7.4M million times.

This episode will up-end what you think about perception and reality—and how much, or little, control, we really have. Here’s a sneak peek at the conversation:

About Perception

“Perception doesn't come from the outside in. It really goes the other direction. It comes from the inside out.”
“The purpose of perception is not to figure out objectively what's out there in the world. The purpose of perception is to enable our adaptive behavior.”
“We need to develop ways of training our perception.”

About Sensory Experience

“Language carves up the sensory world in some more bits.”
“The same things in your brain are happening when you're having a hallucination, perceiving something that other people don't, as when you engage in normal perception. It's just some aspects of the balance has changed.”
“As humans, we don't just passively experience a stream of sensory information. We're always actively sampling our worlds.”

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